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Lemon

Lemon

The Romans used this fruit for improving the taste of their culinary preparations. Today lemon is well known not only as an aliment but also for its therapeutic properties. In aromatherapy, essential lemon oil is used in treating hepatic affections.

Description

The fruit of the tree namedCitrus Limonoriginates in India. The Arabs were those who have brought it later on to the area of the Mediterranean Sea. Starting with the 4th century, the Romans started using this fruit for improving the taste of their foods. Today lemon is well known not only as an aliment but also for its therapeutic properties. In aromatherapy, essential lemon oil is used in treating hepatic affections. Because of its chemical composition - especially because of its rich containment of vitamin C - lemon is also used successfully for preparing products with cosmetic purpose.

Properties

Lemon juice - with 30% fruit - contains citric acid, calcium and potassium citrates, glucides (glucose, fructose, sugar), mineral salts and oligoelements (iron, calcium, silicium, phosphorus, manganese, copper), vitamins (B1, B2, B3, C, PP, A, carotene). All these compounds help the body in its growing process. Citric acid, for example, stimulates the absorption of calcium through the intestines (mineralization action), neutralizes the effect of uric acid and reduces the gastric acidity. While vitamin C is richly contained by lemon, it has an anti-oxidizing role, vitamin PP offers vascular protection. Also, vitamin C has an important role in the synthesis of collagen in the tissues, cartilages and bones, also being anti-inflammatory. Furthermore, through the contribution of vitamin C, the burning of fat is also accelerated. A direct action of this is manifested through the fluidization of the blood - a process which does not limit the coagulation of blood in case of injuries. Therefore, the blood circulates easier though the blood vessels, becoming more fluid. We will now present the rest of the benefiting effects produced by lemon consumption: strong antioxidant, bactericide, febrifuge, tonic for the sympathetic nervous system, cardiac tonic, anti-gastric acid, diuretic, anti-rheumatic, anti-gout, anti-arthritic, sedative, anti-sclerotic, vein tonic, anti-scorbutic, depurative, remineralizing, anti-anemia, stimulates gastro-hepatic and pancreatic secretions, haemostatic, carminative, and vermifuge.

Treatments and mixtures

Because of vitamin C in lemon, one can treat with great ease hepatic or respiratory diseases, varix or even obesity.

Lemon juice

With its bactericide and antiseptic action, lemon juice activates the white cells and strengthens the body's immunity. Pulmonary, intestinal or renal infections, infectious maladies, febrile states, rheumatism, gout, hyperacidity, stomachal ulcerus, arteriosclerosis, varix and capillary fragility, sanguine hyper-sliminess, hypertension, pulmonary and bone tuberculosis, demineralization, growing deficiencies, convalescence, anemia, hepatic and pancreatic insufficiency, hepatic congestions, bleeding, intestinal parasites, asthma, bronchitis, influenza, colds and sinusitis are thus aimed at. The lemon juice diet usually starts with the daily consumption of the liquid obtained from 10 lemons and continues with the progressive decreasing of the number of lemons through the period of four to five weeks. Lemon juice drops can be placed in nostrils (repeatedly) for controlling colds and sinusitis. Lemon juice is also helpful against dandruff if the scalp�s skin is massaged with it. This way, blood circulation is intensified and the hair becomes shiny and healthy.

Used externally in cosmetic purposes, from lemon juice a numerous series of natural remedies can be prepared for various problems. For example in case of greasy complexions, a mixture of one teaspoon of lemon juice, one of grape juice and one of honey is recommended. The paste is applied on the face and then removed after fifteen minutes. For fragile nails, the following simple treatment can be used: for a few minutes, several times per day, the fingers should be kept in lemon juice. Another remedy, for cuperosis, is based on mixing a white of an egg (mixed until it becomes spume) with lemon juice. The result is locally spread on the affected areas and this process is repeated up to 4 times a day.

Lemon based diuretic

In a bowl of hot water, lemon pieces are added. A tablespoon of marjoram is then added. After maceration (the mixture is kept macerating for a period of one night), it is filtered and consumed on an empty stomach. The diet can last for two or three weeks, depending on necessity. For the best results, it is advisable to consult a physician.

Lemon rind oil

In aromatherapy, this oil has multiple uses: from circulatory diseases (anemia, frost-bite, and varicosity) to digestive affections (diabetes, biliar lithiasis, and gastroenteritis), diseases of the respiratory system (asthma and bronchitis), liver diseases, headaches and so on.

Mint

Known from antiquity, mint is a herb with curative properties. It is also used in the specific Arabian cuisine as a spice.

Description of Mint plant

Perennial herb, that spreads itself quickly, mint (Mentha piperita, Mentha spicata) has small violet or purple-white flowers that bloom all over its growing period. Depending on the type, the herb can grow up to 60 or 90cm tall. A particularity of this herb is represented by the "orange mint" that spreads a subtle orange perfume. Mint can be cultivated in any area with a temperate-continental climate. It can multiply by dividing its roots and can be planted anytime during its growing period. It tolerates sandy soil but needs to be planted in a sunny place. It needs high quantities of water, especially if the soil is argillaceous.

Properties and benefits of Mint

Because of its active compounds contained, mint has sedative, disinfectant and cicatrizing properties. It can be successfully used in gastro-intestinal disorders; it helps the liver and calms indigestion. It contains menthol, menthone, menthofuran, a-pinene, limonene, cardinene, acetic aldehide, isovaleriana, vitamin C and antibiotic substances.

Treatments

Because of its menthol, mint has a very good action over the digestive system, causing a small anesthesia of the gastric mucous membrane. It also stimulates digestion. Mint can treat diarrhea, gastric fever or toxic infections. It stimulates the biliary secretion and helps the digestion of fats. It is recommended in cases of asthma, bronchitis and the flu because of its antispasmodic and sedative properties. Sinusitis can be treated with mint also, because menthol is a vasodilatator of the nasal mucous membrane. It can be used as an inhalation in small amounts as well as for chest massages. Mental fatigue, stress, depressive states and headaches can be ameliorated if mint oil is applied over the temples and backhead. Mint oil is a powerful stimulant and tonic. Mint is recommended for the treatment of rheumatism, for disinfection of the oral pocket and in cases of ear inflammation. Due to the fact that it has an antibacterial action it can cure acne and blackheads.

Mixtures

Mint can be used to make tea, mouth rinse or mint oil.

Mint tea

To make tea, you must boil one mint spoon of leaves in 200ml of water. The tea must be drunk cold, three times a day. Mouth rinse is made out of 5g of mint oil dissolved in 95g of concentrate alcohol. This drink is refreshing, antiseptic and it can remove the unwanted smell or taste. Mint oil mixed with hot water is used to treat the flu, laryngitis and hoarseness. The product obtained from 5g of mint oil and 95g of alcohol can be used to treat rheumatic pains and itches. Rheumatism can be treated also with mint baths, obtained by boiling 200g of leaves in 3 liters of water and mixing the result with water at 37 degrees Celsius. Mint is also used as spice in the Arab cuisine. For example, a Lebanese recipe - lebneh (mint yoghurt) - is prepared by adding 2 or 3 green hashed mint leaves, 2 pieces of garlic and lemon juice in a cup of yoghurt. Mint leaves can be used also in summer drinks. Boiled vegetables will look better if they are decorated with mint leaves.

Caution

There are a few cautions regarding the use of mint oil: it is not recommended to use mint oil during pregnancy and lactation or to apply it on babies' skin. For external use, the mint oil must be diluted, no more then 30 drops of oil should be used in a skin cream.

Onion (Allium Cepa)

Was cultivated 6000 years BC in the Nile Valley.The onion contains Na, K, Ca, P, Fe and small quantities of vitamins like A, B1, B2 and C.

As a medicine it is recommended raw because through boiling it loses a large part of its main actions.

Intern: the onion is an energizer. It is also useful for edemas, cirrhosis, pleurisy, and it has antiseptic features.

Extern: it is an active remedy for stomatitis, aphtha as it has a powerful effect on staphylococcus.

Therapeutic features:

Excess of uric acid: leave overnight two crushed onions, until it is obtained a paste, in half a liter of boiled water. In the morning, filter and drink a cup of this product with some lemon juice and sweeten with honey.

Abcess, furuncle: for them to grow mellow apply on the swollen parts ripe onion and hold for 10-15 minutes. Repeat this 4-5 times a day.

Burns: for a slight burn apply on the wounded part a crushed onion mixed with a pinch of salt.

Diabetes: follow regular onion cures as it works on the pancreas. Consume raw or cooked onion at all 3 meals, daily, for a week. Repeat the cure every 3 months.

Diarrhea: boil 200 grams of onion leaves for 10 minutes in a liter of water. Consume half a liter of the obtained liquid daily.

Edema: pass through the rasp 300 grams of raw onion, then mix it with 400 grams of honey and 600 grams of white wine. Stir and take 2-4 spoonfuls a day.

Hemorrhoids: cut the onion in two and wash it, let it cool off and apply on the painful spot.

Cough, bronchitis: boil 3 cut in half onions for 8-10 minutes in half a liter of water. Filter and sweeten with honey, drink half a cup a day.

Against freckles: massage the face with apple vinegar in which a crushed onion was left to macerate for 4 hours. It can also be used onion juice mixed with warm water.